Day 36, Barcelona, Spain to Vic-la-Gardioe, France (345kms)
Our last day in Barcelona and our last multi-night city of the trip. By days end we would be back in France and off the Iberian peninsula. Regardless, we woke quite excited at the thought of going inside the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia.
It was early start, as we had a booking to enter the basilica between 9:00 and 9:15, and then tour the Nativity facade (towers) at 9:45. The streets of Barcelona were eerily quiet, but I guess we aren't use to being out this early, and it was Sunday. Walking to the streets Metro the only people we areally came across were the public servants out on the streets around Poble Espanyol, cleaning up the party goer's mess - including an overturned moped lying on the road. We also noticed the first time the Poble Espanyol Giants - larger than life figures that are traditionally bought out to dance at christian festivals all across Catalonia.
We continued on the deserted streets pass the magic fountain and through (what we believe is) the festival/arts precinct to the Metro station. Everything looking so clean without the masses around.
As was the Metro ride to the Basilica, the entrance was quick and simple, and before we knew we had audio guides in hand. It's only taken 5 weeks, but in Barcelona, we have finally worked out the best way to see and learn. See the cities on bikes and get audio guides for the more culturally significant sites. No more city hop on/hop off bus tours next time.
Before going inside for the first time we marvelled at the Nativity facade close up - having seen it from outside yesterday. The stone carvings are so intricate and despite it being the oldest facade, it's still amazing to look at. This facade is dedicated to the life of Jesus and has three different portals - each adorned with scenes representing the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. The other two facades are the Passion Facade and the Glory Facade.
Once inside we were amazed by not only the towering open space but especially the architecture. Sierra describes it best in her journal entry - "The inside looked like a forest. The pillars [supporting the roof and structures] look like trees." The stones used for the pillars also changed slightly in colour as they reached for the ceiling - showing the stages of construction over time and type of stone used. The stained glass windows in all the colours of the rainbow, also make for a great effect, and like everything else in the Basilica was apparently planned for effect. The light coming through the windows is supposed to represent the effect of light shining through the trees of a forest.
With the towers of the Nativity facade beckoning, it was first inside a lift for part of the ascent, before more narrow spiral staircases. As we ascended, there were small windows to look out, but we also got to get outside onto a bridge between two towers directly about the Nativity Facade. The views over the Barcelona were great and it put into perspective the size of the city and the ground we covered yesterday on the bikes. From up in the towers, we could also see close up the art that adorned the churches spires outside. Wikipedia only describes bunches of grapes and sheaves of wheat, but everywhere you look (including high up) there is layer upon layer of detailed adornment.
Back on the ground, we soaked up the atmosphere of the cathedral for as long as we could, listening to everything the audio guide had to offer. We could see down into the crypt - where a service was being held for the locals, we walked through a museum in the basement dedicated to Gaudi and the church's construction, and the Sacristy - chapels on either side of the central aspe, which contained (mostly religious) pieces of furniture and objects designed by Gaudi himself.
Reluctant to leave such a special place we exited through the Passion facade - equally awed by the details of the facade. The carving of hundreds of words into the large doors particularly clever, but all the sculptures were fascinating. The Passion facade narrates the passion, death and resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. We certainly saved the best till last - as far as churches go.
Off the Metro back at Plaza Espanya, we made a quick detour to Plaza de toros de las Arenas, now a shopping centre that was (as the name implies), once an arena that hosted boxing matches and bull-fighting. We only needed it for urgent toilet stops and an ATM, but the kids had fun playing on a floor that lit up with fire at their feet when they ran around on it. Pretty cool.
With Paris, London and eventually Melbourne calling, it was time to head back to the campervan and say goodbye to Spain, but not before one last look at the magic fountain and mall of Parc de Montjuic. It was the first time we'd actually climbed the steps to the top of the mall we had been looking at for the past 3 days, and it offered good views over Barcelona.
On the way out of Barcelona, we also drove through the Olympic Park precinct - which unknowingly until now, was right behind where we were staying for the last two nights. There was quite a bit to see and do in the parks of Montjuic, and despite it seeming to be a quiet and desolate place in the dark, during the day its quite populous with sporting venues, together with bars and restaurants.
On the road, our destination for the night was going to be Montpellier, but with darkness descending on us and the weather turning, we left it to the park4night app to find us a campground as sunset approached. The first campground we went to was closed for the season, but the owner helped us find another close by that was still open. We checked in just as the winds really picked up and the temperature dropped. Hot Showers and after a short walk around a very quiet and dark campground and it was an early night after a big day.
It was early start, as we had a booking to enter the basilica between 9:00 and 9:15, and then tour the Nativity facade (towers) at 9:45. The streets of Barcelona were eerily quiet, but I guess we aren't use to being out this early, and it was Sunday. Walking to the streets Metro the only people we areally came across were the public servants out on the streets around Poble Espanyol, cleaning up the party goer's mess - including an overturned moped lying on the road. We also noticed the first time the Poble Espanyol Giants - larger than life figures that are traditionally bought out to dance at christian festivals all across Catalonia.
We continued on the deserted streets pass the magic fountain and through (what we believe is) the festival/arts precinct to the Metro station. Everything looking so clean without the masses around.
As was the Metro ride to the Basilica, the entrance was quick and simple, and before we knew we had audio guides in hand. It's only taken 5 weeks, but in Barcelona, we have finally worked out the best way to see and learn. See the cities on bikes and get audio guides for the more culturally significant sites. No more city hop on/hop off bus tours next time.
Before going inside for the first time we marvelled at the Nativity facade close up - having seen it from outside yesterday. The stone carvings are so intricate and despite it being the oldest facade, it's still amazing to look at. This facade is dedicated to the life of Jesus and has three different portals - each adorned with scenes representing the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. The other two facades are the Passion Facade and the Glory Facade.
Once inside we were amazed by not only the towering open space but especially the architecture. Sierra describes it best in her journal entry - "The inside looked like a forest. The pillars [supporting the roof and structures] look like trees." The stones used for the pillars also changed slightly in colour as they reached for the ceiling - showing the stages of construction over time and type of stone used. The stained glass windows in all the colours of the rainbow, also make for a great effect, and like everything else in the Basilica was apparently planned for effect. The light coming through the windows is supposed to represent the effect of light shining through the trees of a forest.
With the towers of the Nativity facade beckoning, it was first inside a lift for part of the ascent, before more narrow spiral staircases. As we ascended, there were small windows to look out, but we also got to get outside onto a bridge between two towers directly about the Nativity Facade. The views over the Barcelona were great and it put into perspective the size of the city and the ground we covered yesterday on the bikes. From up in the towers, we could also see close up the art that adorned the churches spires outside. Wikipedia only describes bunches of grapes and sheaves of wheat, but everywhere you look (including high up) there is layer upon layer of detailed adornment.
Back on the ground, we soaked up the atmosphere of the cathedral for as long as we could, listening to everything the audio guide had to offer. We could see down into the crypt - where a service was being held for the locals, we walked through a museum in the basement dedicated to Gaudi and the church's construction, and the Sacristy - chapels on either side of the central aspe, which contained (mostly religious) pieces of furniture and objects designed by Gaudi himself.
Reluctant to leave such a special place we exited through the Passion facade - equally awed by the details of the facade. The carving of hundreds of words into the large doors particularly clever, but all the sculptures were fascinating. The Passion facade narrates the passion, death and resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. We certainly saved the best till last - as far as churches go.
Off the Metro back at Plaza Espanya, we made a quick detour to Plaza de toros de las Arenas, now a shopping centre that was (as the name implies), once an arena that hosted boxing matches and bull-fighting. We only needed it for urgent toilet stops and an ATM, but the kids had fun playing on a floor that lit up with fire at their feet when they ran around on it. Pretty cool.
With Paris, London and eventually Melbourne calling, it was time to head back to the campervan and say goodbye to Spain, but not before one last look at the magic fountain and mall of Parc de Montjuic. It was the first time we'd actually climbed the steps to the top of the mall we had been looking at for the past 3 days, and it offered good views over Barcelona.
On the way out of Barcelona, we also drove through the Olympic Park precinct - which unknowingly until now, was right behind where we were staying for the last two nights. There was quite a bit to see and do in the parks of Montjuic, and despite it seeming to be a quiet and desolate place in the dark, during the day its quite populous with sporting venues, together with bars and restaurants.
On the road, our destination for the night was going to be Montpellier, but with darkness descending on us and the weather turning, we left it to the park4night app to find us a campground as sunset approached. The first campground we went to was closed for the season, but the owner helped us find another close by that was still open. We checked in just as the winds really picked up and the temperature dropped. Hot Showers and after a short walk around a very quiet and dark campground and it was an early night after a big day.
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